Hunting To Protect?

I haven't read such an ironic article for quite some time. Here are some excerpts from the article by Reuters via Environmental News Network

China is to auction licences to foreigners to hunt wild animals, including endangered species, a newspaper said on Wednesday.

The government would auction licences based on types and numbers of wild animals, ranging from about $200 for a wolf, the only carnivore on the list, to as much as $40,000 for a yak, the Beijing Youth Daily said.
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Hunting of animals is popular with Chinese who like to eat exotic meats or use animal parts in medicines for their perceived aphrodisiac or medicinal properties.

But the hunting licences would be available only to foreigners, given China's strict rules on gun control, the daily said.
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Proceeds from the auction would be used for wild animal protection, the report said.